Spot Welders
#1058179
08/20/11 10:58 PM
08/20/11 10:58 PM
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Anonymous
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Anonymous
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Who has ideas on spot welders that are easy on the wallet but work nicely??
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Re: Spot Welders
[Re: 52savoy]
#1058182
08/21/11 08:59 PM
08/21/11 08:59 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,490
smyrna,tn
draginmopars
pro stock
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pro stock
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,490
smyrna,tn
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we also have a harbor freight 220 volt does fine. not used often, but , nice to have when needed 
Ha-Ha Racin
Havin Fun 101
Howard
68 "Cummins" Satellite
70 W-2 449 "More Door" Dart
70 340 Dart Swinger, 4spd
71 360 Dart Swinger
72 540/ 518 Dart Swinger
73 airwolf 446/a-500 Cuda
73 "Cummins" Crew cab-car hauler
84 446 Dodge Rampage (tube chassis)
92 CTD 11' flat bed
92 CTD club cab
07 Dodge Caliber
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Re: Spot Welders
[Re: draginmopars]
#1058183
08/21/11 09:11 PM
08/21/11 09:11 PM
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Anonymous
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Thanks for the input! What do you guys do where you want the appearance of a factory spot but cant fit the tongs? For instance cowls on an E body firewall?
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Re: Spot Welders
#1058189
08/22/11 05:13 PM
08/22/11 05:13 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 936
OLD318
super stock
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super stock
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 936
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Quote:
Who has ideas on spot welders that are easy on the wallet but work nicely??
This depends on what thickness of metal you wish to spot weld
and what do you mean by "easy" on the wallet.
The Lenco L-4000 MKII that is referred to here cost almost $1000.00 brand new
but its only rated for 20 guage sheet metal
and requires a 50 amp single phase plug.
This means that you can certainly get one of these and plug
it in at home-(you might need an electrician to setup the
plug for you), But this only buys you 20guage spot welding)....
IMHO...
The smaller portable types ($400-$750 new) even those which
utilize a 230volt 30 amp plug,may work OK with thinner metal
20 guage 22 guage etc. But I don't see how they will work on
18 guage to 18 guage as found on the old mopars...
Others on here will differ on this opinion I'm sure
and I'm not trying to start a fight.
I'm just saying I don't see how... etc...
The professional spot welders used by the factory usually (if not always) require 3-phase commercial plugs...
You can't get that in a residential setting. (Single phase)...
and they generate 1000's of amps to do this correctly.
Whats wrong with MIG Welding?
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Re: Spot Welders
[Re: OLD318]
#1058190
08/22/11 05:52 PM
08/22/11 05:52 PM
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 15,134
Kelowna, B.C. Canada
DPelletier
I Live Here
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I Live Here
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Kelowna, B.C. Canada
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Sort of; my larger spot welder is rated at 19,000 amps at the secondary coil, but that translates to a 30 amp 208/3/60 service. My smaller Miller unit takes a 20amp breaker. I don't know what those little ones are rated at, but while the amperage of the welder is part of the equation, we simply adjust the weld time to deal with most thicknesses of sheet metal. I also question whether or not most mopars have 18ga exterior panels.....the few I micrometered didn't; 20-22ga IIRC. I wouldn't trust some hobbiest spot welder on subframes, K frames or the like, but I'm sure most decent ones don't have a problem with outer body panels....course you have to make sure the metal is clean, contact is tight with adequate pressure and the tips are in good shape....  Dave
1970 Super Bee 440 Six Pack
1974 'Cuda
2008 Ram 3500 Diesel
2006 Ram 3500 Diesel
2004.5 Ram 2500 Diesel
2003 Ram 3500 Diesel
2006 Durango Limited
[url] http://1970superbee.piczo.com [/url]
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Re: Spot Welders
[Re: DPelletier]
#1058191
08/22/11 06:11 PM
08/22/11 06:11 PM
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Anonymous
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This is why I posted to get as much info i can before i make a move. Heres what I am hoping to achieve: Spend less than a grand on one. Get a respectable factory appearing weld. (I know it wont ever be that nice original factory spot, but I want to try getting it) Get a little more satisfaction doing it myself without giving up cleanliness and quality that i may or may not get paying someone else to do. I appreciate all input, ideas, and past experiences, its what makes this site great for the hobbyist! 
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Re: Spot Welders
#1058192
08/22/11 06:18 PM
08/22/11 06:18 PM
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 15,134
Kelowna, B.C. Canada
DPelletier
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 15,134
Kelowna, B.C. Canada
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Quote:
Get a respectable factory appearing weld. (I know it wont ever be that nice original factory spot, but I want to try getting it)
Actually, I can easily duplicate a factory spot weld perfectly with either of my machines.
Dave
1970 Super Bee 440 Six Pack
1974 'Cuda
2008 Ram 3500 Diesel
2006 Ram 3500 Diesel
2004.5 Ram 2500 Diesel
2003 Ram 3500 Diesel
2006 Durango Limited
[url] http://1970superbee.piczo.com [/url]
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Re: Spot Welders
[Re: dannysbee]
#1058194
08/22/11 08:51 PM
08/22/11 08:51 PM
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Anonymous
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Anonymous
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Quote:
Quote:
Thanks for the input! What do you guys do where you want the appearance of a factory spot but cant fit the tongs? For instance cowls on an E body firewall?
A flat nosed punch with a dolley. It's a two man job but its cheap.
I was thinking of something like that today, wondering if it would look good. Looked like the metal was crimped in a lot from the factory.
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Re: Spot Welders
[Re: DPelletier]
#1058195
08/22/11 10:54 PM
08/22/11 10:54 PM
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,231
State of retirement
52savoy
master
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master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,231
State of retirement
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Quote:
Quote:
Get a respectable factory appearing weld. (I know it wont ever be that nice original factory spot, but I want to try getting it)
Actually, I can easily duplicate a factory spot weld perfectly with either of my machines.
Dave
I do that easily with the 120V HF welder I go all over(add welds) the body(s) to stiffen it up. Just leave the switch on longer for deeper welds and they are identical to the factory welds. 
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Re: Spot Welders
[Re: DPelletier]
#1058196
08/23/11 01:57 AM
08/23/11 01:57 AM
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 636
California
sixpaktoogo
mopar
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mopar
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 636
California
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Quote:
Quote:
Get a respectable factory appearing weld. (I know it wont ever be that nice original factory spot, but I want to try getting it)
Actually, I can easily duplicate a factory spot weld perfectly with either of my machines.
Dave
Dave, What brand of welders are you using? Can you post pictures of your welds? Thanks!
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Re: Spot Welders
[Re: 52savoy]
#1058197
08/23/11 01:59 AM
08/23/11 01:59 AM
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 636
California
sixpaktoogo
mopar
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mopar
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 636
California
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Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Get a respectable factory appearing weld. (I know it wont ever be that nice original factory spot, but I want to try getting it)
Actually, I can easily duplicate a factory spot weld perfectly with either of my machines.
Dave
I do that easily with the 120V HF welder I go all over(add welds) the body(s) to stiffen it up. Just leave the switch on longer for deeper welds and they are identical to the factory welds.
Can you post pictures of your welds and the welder you use? Thanks!
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Re: Spot Welders
[Re: sixpaktoogo]
#1058198
08/23/11 02:15 PM
08/23/11 02:15 PM
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 15,134
Kelowna, B.C. Canada
DPelletier
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 15,134
Kelowna, B.C. Canada
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Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Get a respectable factory appearing weld. (I know it wont ever be that nice original factory spot, but I want to try getting it)
Actually, I can easily duplicate a factory spot weld perfectly with either of my machines.
Dave
Dave, What brand of welders are you using? Can you post pictures of your welds? Thanks!
I have a sheet metal fabrication shop, so mine aren't what most hobbiests would have access to. I have a Western Arctronics 30KVA and a Miller 20FT. The Miller is convertable to portable duty, the Western is not. If you still want pics, let me know.
Dave
1970 Super Bee 440 Six Pack
1974 'Cuda
2008 Ram 3500 Diesel
2006 Ram 3500 Diesel
2004.5 Ram 2500 Diesel
2003 Ram 3500 Diesel
2006 Durango Limited
[url] http://1970superbee.piczo.com [/url]
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